Please keep in mind when traveling to the festival we experience high traffic volume between the hours of 11:00am and 1:00pm.

It’s a Food FestivalThis festival offers a great variety of food for every palate. Featuring everything from seafood, BBQ, pizza and crab cakes. There are also many desserts and specialty beverages to choose from.

It’s an Arts & Crafts FestivalVisitors will delight in the wide variety of crafts and artwork available throughout the festival grounds. Among the many offerings are handmade furniture, stained glass, wood carvings, sculpture, pottery, leather goods and jewelry.

It’s an Oyster FestivalEat your weight in steamed or fried oysters. Make this your first destination for oyster eating. Make sure you check out our new oyster vendor- A Shuckin’ Good Time!

” Being part of a coastal communities that loves to have Beach Music parties and Shag dance the night away as we shuck and shag and eat oyster and other seafoods. This has certainly become a passion in my career of cooking and providing seafood and steamed oyster for major events such as Tryon Palace, Duke Marine Lab, NCSU, Shuck and Shag Festival and many other large events. Our mission statement includes a desire to provide high quality seafood to the public that when they take a bite the brow will raise and they will say this is really good and possibly the best that they have ever had.”

It’s a Music FestivalBeach music is the cornerstone of this community. Bring your chairs and enjoy the lineup featuring popular beach bands, cover bands and everything in between.

As a reminder, no pets will be allowed within the festival grounds. Service animals will be accepted.

There will be NO SMOKING within the festival grounds.

About the 36th Annual NC Oyster Festival

Spend the weekend with us October 21st and 22nd and find out for yourself why the oyster is so treasured by Brunswick County natives!

History & Impact – The NC Oyster Festival celebrates the importance and impact of the oyster in Brunswick County history and the county’s economy. Learn more about the impact of the oyster on Brunswick County and the tradition of the Annual NC Oyster Festival.

Schedule of Events – View a full schedule of events at this year’s North Carolina Oyster Festival.

Meet Our Committee – The NC Oyster Festival is made possible by the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Ocean Isle Beach, the support of many generous area businesses, a wonderful group of volunteers and, most importantly, the weekend’s dedicated revelers. Read more about the dedicated NC Oyster Festival Committee volunteers.

View Our Commemorative Items & Merchandise – During the NC Oyster Festival, Ocean Isle Beach is transformed into a walking district offering something for everyone: local cuisine, arts and crafts, children’s activities, various contests and activities, and live music. NC Oyster Festival merchandise is available for sale during the weekend along with commemorative items unique to each year’s festival.

As always, this year’s Oyster Festival will provide a weekend of fun activities from everyone. Be sure to join us on October 21st and 22nd. You won’t want to miss it!

Events

The Muddy Oyster Challenge

This invigorating and challenging obstacle mud course includes challenges like climbing over walls, carrying heavy objects, traversing bodies of water, and crawling under barbed wire. Individuals and teams can sign up for The Muddy Oyster Challenge.

The Shaggin' Oyster Challenge

Get your Shag on Sunday, October 16th at 1:30 PM and compete in one of three divisions. Contest divisions will be Amateur, Novice, and Junior.The Shaggin' Oyster Challenge is sponsored by the Coastal Shag Club of Shallotte.

Oyster Shucking Contest

This year, the NC Oyster Festival is continuing to host the NC Oyster Shucking Contest. We invite you to send your fastest oyster shuckers to gain fame and prize money by competing in this contest. Join us on Saturday, October 15th at 3:00 PM to put your shucking skills to the test.

Oyster Eating Contest

You can never have too much of a good thing. The Oyster Eating contest is proof of that! Join us at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 15th and compete with other oyster lovers and speed eaters for title of "Oyster Eating Champion! If you love oysters or have been accused of swallowing your food whole, this contest is for you!"

Oyster Stew Cook-Off

Register for the North Carolina Oyster Stew Cook-Off and compete for title of best oyster stew in the state. The Oyster Stew Cook-Off is open to all restaurants. The winning stew will be named the "People's Choice".

Live Entertainment

The NC Oyster Festival is one of the best venues for amazing local and regional musical talent. This year's lineup includes something for everyone from beach music to country. Artists include Whitney Layne, Darrell Harwood, and many others. Make sure you join us for another year of great live music!

Meet Ozzy the Oyster

What would the NC Oyster Festival be without a visit with our very own mascot, Ozzy the Oyster? Be sure to take time during the weekend to meet Ozzy and have your photo taken with him at our photo booth! Ozzy is our official oyster aficionado. He has been waiting all year to welcome you back to the North Carolina Oyster Festival!

Galleries

Visitors

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is the Festival?

Saturday October 15, 2016 (Rain or Shine) 9:00AM to 6:00PM

Sunday October 16, 2016 (Rain or Shine) 10:00AM to 5:00PM

2. Admission and Fees Admission $5 Children Under 10 Free

3. Parking

Parking spaces are limited on the island. A free shuttle services will be provided from designated lots on the mainland, before you cross the bridge. The Shuttles will run non stop throughout the festival hours. Please keep in mind during the times of 11:00AM and 1:00PM, we experience high traffic volume onto the island. Please allow extra time as you may have a longer wait time to get onto the shuttles. A Handicap drop off will be located at the intersection of Causeway Drive and 2nd Street.

4. Americans With Disabilities Act Information

Parking: At the main gate on Causeway Drive (HWY 904), there will be a Handicap drop off/pick up. The Town of Ocean Isle Police Department will be at the intersection of Causeway and 2nd Street in order to keep traffic moving and allow for patrons to be safely dropped off.

Wheelchair Accessibility: The NC Oyster Festival is fully navigable for people with mobility disabilities. Accessible pathways connect the vendor are and entertainment area. Please note the Arts & Craft Vendors and Food Vendors are located on a grass area of the festival grounds.

Service Animals: Service animals that are trained will be allowed within the festival grounds. Pets are not allowed and will be turned away.

5.Smoking

We want to thank you in advance for cooperating with our No Smoking Policy within the NC Oyster Festival grounds. This is to include e-cigarettes and vapes.

6. ATM

ATMs are located outside the festival grounds at Ocean Isle Creamery. Inside the festival grounds, an ATM is located at Pelican’s Perch Bar and Grill.

7. Pets

Pets are not permitted within the festival grounds. Service Animals are welcomed, please see above ADA Guidelines.

8. Restrooms

Portable restrooms will be located throughout the festival. Locations include: Along East 2nd Street Museum of Coastal Carolina Parking lot Entertainment area by Pelican’s Perch Note: Restrooms for visitors with disabilities will be located at the East 2nd Street Location and Entertainment location.

9. Re-entry

Same day re-entry is permitted.

10. First Aide Station

A First Aide Station will be located within the festival grounds along East 2nd Street. Emergency personnel will also be accessible.

11. Lost & Found

For any items that are lost or found, please check with the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce tent, located within the festival grounds.

Get Involved

There are numerous ways for everyone to be involved with this year's North Carolina Oyster Festival. Please click below to learn more about each.

Sponsorship opportunities are also always available. To learn more about highlighting your business or organization at this amazing festival, please visit our sponsorship page.

Applications are NOW BEING ACCEPTED for all opportunities!
Apply soon - spaces fill up quickly.

Volunteers

It takes over 100 volunteers to make the North Carolina Oyster Festival a success! Please consider joining us for the weekend. All volunteers receive a tee-shirt and free admission to the festival.

Arts & Crafts Vendors

Spend the weekend with us and market your handmade jewelry, painted glassware, natural soaps, jams, handcrafted clothing items, woodcraft, and other arts & crafts to over 30,000 customers in just two days!

Non-Profits

Promote an upcoming even. Recruit volunteers. Share your mission. With an audience of 30,000, a booth at this year's North Carolina Oyster Festival will provide a fun filled weekend full of visibility for your program.